Peaky Blinders fans are being warned of a scammer posing as show favourite Arthur Shelby offering meetings with the stars for £1,000 a time.
The conman has sent Instagram messages to fans under the name of actor Paul Anderson. The real Paul plays mob boss Tommy Shelby’s brother in the BBC hit drama about a 1920s Birmingham crime family.
The faker offers a private “meet and greet” with the stars including dinner with the Shelby clan and the chance to get autographs and photographs.
Show fanatic Yasemin Kaptan, 46, from London, was among those sent an invitation. She believes she was targeted as she runs a fan page dedicated to actor Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy.
She told the Sunday Mirror: “As soon as I saw the message I contacted the official Peaky Blinders Instagram page and they confirmed that it was a scam. I knew it didn’t look right, he wouldn’t be asking for money.
“I would hate to think that any Peaky Blinders fans get conned by this and pay. I think it is despicable what he is doing. I contacted the real Paul Anderson to tell him what is happening. It isn’t right, it’s a scam.
“I don’t want people joining a fan page to get ripped off.”
The con artist pretends to thank fans who comment on posts and asks for their email address for a private chat. Anyone taking the bait is then offered a private meet and greet if they hand over the huge sum.
The message in garbled English reads: “Greetings from the entire management team. The private meet and greet gives you the opportunity to take amazing pictures, autographs, dinner date and also present from the entire management.
“The cost of the meeting is £1,000. The money isn’t the problem, it’s the management rule to make sure our meetings are properly and adequately handle, our lawyer will put into writing immediately payment is made and might be a refundable payment if Mr Paul desires.
“Let us know if your making the payment now, we can send the details. Thank you and stay safe.”
After Yasemin alerted the official Peaky Blinders site, they warned fans in a statement: “This is definitely spam, don’t give any money.”
The BBC, which has aired six series of the show since 2013, did not respond to requests for comment.
